Origin and Habitat: Sclerocactus spinosior is endemic to southwestern Utah (Beaver, Juab, Millard, Iron and Sevier Counties), United States. Altitude range: This species grows at elevations of 1,500 to 2,000 metres above sea level. (The subsp. blainei can be found in Nye and Lincoln Counties, Nevada, at elevations of 1,450 to 1,850 metres above sea level).Habitat and ecology: The species occurs in pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, and shadscale communities. Soils are typically igneous or calcareous gravels. The species is locally abundant, however the subpopulations are scattered. The population size is of thousands of individuals. The current population trend is stable. Mining and grazing are moderate threats in portions of the species range. The species is found in trade but the species is not particularly popular.

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Sclerocactus spinosior group

Sclerocactus nyensisHochstätter: has reddish spines that may or may not be hooked, central spines more numerous (six to eight), and more or less indehiscent fruit. Flowers rose-coloured in spring. Distribution: Nye and Esmeralda Counties, Nevada, USA.

Sclerocactus spinosior subs. schlesseri(K.D.Heil & S.L.Welsh) Hochstätter: is generally included within (as a synonym of) Sclerocactus spinosior subs. blainei, suggesting that there is not really a fundamental difference between the two. Distribution: Nevada, Lincoln County.

Cultivation and Propagation: Sclerocactus spinosior is very rare in cultivation, it is difficult to grow on its own roots and to propagate, but continues to be a particular prize among specialist collectors. Mature individuals easily rot and die especially after planting. The seeds germinate with extreme difficulty and a low rate of success, seedlings do not do well either, and more die each year.It is extremely xerophytic and adapted to very dry soils, but plants grafted on hardy stock (Opuntia humifusa, Echinocereus triglochidiatus etc...) are relatively easy to grow and no special skill is required, they can stay in a non heated greenhouse. (min tem -20°C). For the heated glasshouse Eriocereus jusbertii is the recommended stock. However, the grafted plants lose their natural appearance. Sclerocactus spinosior is not reliably hardy in zone 5 (-20 to -28°C) but can be grown in protected microclimates, such as near the south side of a heated building. Propagation: Seeds are extremely difficult to germinate (only 2-3 percent of seeds germinate). The germination is really difficult and if some seedling finally sprout, as they start to grows they disappear one by one. Grafting is often used to speed growth rate and to create a back-up for plants in collection.